Modern day scout knife, what blades would you choose?

rockgolfer

rockgolfer

Joined
Mar 1, 2008
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Since aquiring an '11 forum knife I have really found myself drawn to the caplifter/screwdriver blade. In keeping in the tradition of the pattern its typically a 4 blade knife. I think alot of folks would agree that the can opener is not really needed this day and age. So what would you replace it with? How would you set it up?

I would like to see it in the 3 3/4 to 4" range. Main blade could be clip or spear. Would like to see a coping second for sure. The caplifter/screwdriver is a must but I would love to see a simple "V" notch cut into it around the tang area for wire stripping. The 4th blade is where I get lost. I think an awl would work nice but its a love or hate thing for some. I wouldnt complain about the awl but I also wouldnt mind seeing a clip/spear moose design used with a coping second and caplifter. I think that might be my top choice. Tons of utility and nothing I would not use.

Anyone else with some ideas? I am sure a vote for scissors would be liked by a few.
 
4", main spear with long nail pull, wide pen secondary. Can opener and cap lifter/bottle opener. Punch. Anything more and it gets complicated.
 
Hmm, take a Vic Alox Pioneer, increase it to 4" closed and make the tools correspondingly bigger. Can opener is still useful for getting into cans that don't have pull tabs.
 
4", main sheepsfoot, cap lifter, reamer, phillips head.

Odd combinations, I know. But they are the tools I use regularly.
 
I was the only one who had a can opener at our last thanksgiving get together. I rented a building, my niece brought canned goods,no opener. My dad said "Your Uncle has one", cause he knew i always have a scout pattern since i was 8. When i was 8, i bought a "KAMPKING" by Imperial. That was my knife till i left home, or almost the family knife. I truly believe that some family outings, my dad didn't bother to carry, because he knew i'd rather die than leave home without my knife. It served my every need, and sometimes other people's.

I now carry a Victorinox "Tinker". Same blade set up as the "KAMPKING", plus a few add-ons.That is exactly what i need and want.

Moral of the story is, pick "ANY" typical boyscout pattern, of quality. You will cover most bases and have a pocketable knife, that won't get left behind because it is too heavy or thick. That is why the Swiss "Soldier" "Pioneer" "Farmer" type knife is held in such esteem, by genuine knife users.

AND, i think you do need a can opener. I won't skip it. regards Henry
 
I don't think I would delete any blades from a scout knife, yet maybe add a second small knife blade of either a pen or sheeps foot type. Too many cans still do not have the pull tab, so I'd leave the can opener, as it also makes a fine hook for lifting a pot of hobo stew off the fire tripod, or puling staples. I don't want to gt rid of the awl, I've used the one on my Wenger SI too often.

I guess I'll take a standard scout pattern with the addition of a second knife blade.
 
I agree 100% with JackKnife why mess with perfection, I keep a can of brown bread in my car, and in my pack when camping/traveling and the awl is one of my favorite tools. Both the CanOpener and the awl can be used for more things besides their intended uses. The only thing I would like to see added to a Scout knife is a saw, that is why the Vic Farmer is perfect if only carbon.
 
The Kamp King was probably my second knife when I was a kid. I love scout patterns. I agree, keep everything, maybe add a small second blade, but I find I really don't need a secondary blade. I have never felt undergunned (knived?) by carrying a single blade.

Keep 'em sharp, gents!
 
I am not knocking the scout pattern by any means. You can buy one with a can opener and awl in alot of places. I can buy a brand new kampking at a antique store for 35 bucks. SAK has made a combo caplifter/canopener/screwdriver. I would see no reason that tool could not be recreated to be used in the application I am thinking. GEC makes a saw/screwdriver blade already(lumberjack I believe). Would not be to far of a stretch to streamline it into a smaller frame. I can see how some folks would still want a can opener. If I am camping with my car and have cans well I have several options around to get that can open. If I am backpacking I would have no need as everything I carry is in a ziplock bag to eat. Everyone has differrent needs. The scout pattern was invented many decades ago. Times and needs have changed. A company like GEC is becoming famous for multiple offerings on a single frame. Maybe we can all get what we want :) adding tools to the backside really would open it up with the awl and phillips. But thats getting a little carried away with the traditional design. I will take one with bone in any version a company will make but will hold out hope for a little more modern tooling choices.
 
Rockgolfer you need to find a new antique store $35 for a KampKing is steep, if you want one let me know I can probably find you one for $2-$7 might not be brand new, slightly used.
 
I'd like a saw in the style of the Victorinox/Wenger type, I've gotten a lot of use out of that blade at camp. I've used the Phillips head driver in my Vics too, but I don't need one for camping.

Otherwise the standard selection is fine for me. GEC could even use their current #53/54 cigar frame, or make a Jr. Scout on the White Owl frame. I'd buy both :thumbup:
 
I just bought three. One from Vanguard here on the forum for $8, and two from the big auction site for $10 and $7 respectively.
 
I hear ya stich. I mean it is brand new. Never used mint. But I have no need for a new one. The selection around here stinks for old knives. I found a new half congress tree brand boker at another one. It had rust starting on the top of the blades because they did not oil it. Asking price was 45 bucks. Its sad to watch it rust away. I talked to the owner about it and she pulled out a knife price book and said thats what its worth. Cant argue the stupid out of people. It was such a beauty too. I indeed need some new stores to shop in.
 
I'm sorry to hear that Rockgolfer, it's a shame when people price goug, the most I've spent for a used knife was $25 for a 1923-41 Ulster Dwight Divine & Sons Boy Scout knife in mint condition, I just picked up last Sunday a 1970 10 dot Case 6347 HP stockman for $5, it was rusty and the tip broken on the clip blade but in about an hour I had the rust off and hand shaped a new tip, you can't even tell that the tip had been broken. I think the key is to keep looking sometimes you find ok stuff and other times you find fantastic stuff, persistence is the key, I also find if you buy two from the same person you can get a really good deal, generally, last week one for $10 & one for $7 got both for $10.
 
I am always on the hunt, drives my wife crazy. I have givin this more thought and I guess that unless a company is ready to roll out a custom factory, you cant make everyone happy. Come to think of it, I never really use any tools on my knives aside from the caplifter/screwdriver. Even then I usually have my tool bag not to far away with "real" tools in it. I have been debating over what alox model I want to try, I have found several discontinued models at good prices. The tools are usually always the same as a farmer but with a second blade versus the can opener. My thumb will lift that second blade far more then a can opener, but thats just me.
 
Victorinox Soldier or Pioneer. I'll have a little penknife in my watch pocket, and a lockback clipped to my back pocket, so that SAK in its little belt pouch is just right for the things I need it for.
 
Came into this thread just to make sure someone mentioned the combination can opener/cap lifter. The Vic combo tool version is my favorite and is why I own a couple Bantams and a Compact. I'd love to see that design on any more modern incarnation as it frees up a spot for a smaller blade.
 
Mmmmm...let me think.
Main spear blade (to keep with tradition, even though I'm not a fan of spear blades).
Secondary sheepsfoot (like in the VIC electrician).
Caplifter. Awl (on the "back side").
And if there's space enough, scissors. I know they don't really belong to the original pattern, but I'd take scissors over the can opener every day. I have to say, I do not deal with cans more than once or twice a year (rough guess), while scissors could come in handy in more occasions.

Fausto
:cool:
 
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